In this shiur, we will discuss the meaning of purity and impurity in Sefer Vayikra, specifically in the context of the impurity contracted by a mother after giving birth. We will discuss the reason for the different lengths of the impure period following the birth of a male and female child, and we will also attempt to explain how this is connected to the commandment of circumcision, which appears in this context.
The laws of impurity in the Torah all relate in some manner to death. In this shiur, we will analyze the laws of impurity in our parasha in light of medical knowledge, since the Torah does not distinguish between health of the body and health of the soul.
Parashat Metzora outlines an unusual ceremony for purifying a person or house who has recovered from the plague of tzara'at, pointing us toward the Yom Kippur service in the next week's Torah portion.
Tzara'at of the house is one of three types of plagues mentioned in the parashiyot of Tazri'a-Metzora. There are plagues of the body (various types of which are listed in Parashat Tazri'a), plagues on clothing, and plagues of the house.
The portions of Tazria and Metzora, which are read together during a normal year, form a unit, the main topic of which is tum’a (ritual impurity), and the tum’a of tzara’at in particular.
Parashat Tazria, like parashat Metzora, which follows it, deals exclusively with tum'a and tahara. Tum'a is a state which interferes and prevents the relationship of a man with the sacred, with kedusha.
